St. Tikhon (''né'' Vasily Ivanovich Belavin; ''Russian:'' '''Василий Иванович Белавин''') was born on [[January 19]], 1865. His father was Ioann Belavin, a rural [[priest]] of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. "From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility. ... From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the [[Pskov]] Theological Seminary. ... His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called 'bishop' and 'patriarch' by his classmates." [http://www.oca.org/HSbiotikhon.asp?SID=7]

St. Tikhon (''né'' Vasily Ivanovich Belavin; ''Russian:'' '''Василий Иванович Белавин''') was born on [[January 19]], 1865. His father was Ioann Belavin, a rural [[priest]] of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. "From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility. ... From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the [[Pskov]] Theological Seminary. ... His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called 'bishop' and 'patriarch' by his classmates." [http://www.oca.org/HSbiotikhon.asp?SID=7]

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"Following graduation from the Pskov Seminary and St Petersburg Theological Academy, he becomes an instructor first at Pskov Seminary (1888-91), then Kholm Seminary (1891-97), where he quickly became [[Rector]]. Just prior to his transfer to Kholm he was tonsured a monk with the name Tikhon and ordained." [http://ocaphoto.oca.org/MiscEventViewer.asp?EID=888&IID=14365]

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"Following graduation from the Pskov Seminary and St Petersburg Theological [[Academy]], he becomes an instructor first at Pskov Seminary (1888-91), then Kholm Seminary (1891-97), where he quickly became [[Rector]]. Just prior to his transfer to Kholm he was tonsured a monk with the name Tikhon and ordained." [http://ocaphoto.oca.org/MiscEventViewer.asp?EID=888&IID=14365]

==Life and work after ordination==

==Life and work after ordination==

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When the ungodly Bolshevik regime took control of the country, Church property was confiscated and the Russian Orthodox Church had to endure much repression. St. Tikhon openly condemned the killings of [[Nicholas II of Russia|Czar]]'s family in 1918 and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the [[Church]]. At this time, he called Russian Orthodox Christians to unite and strengthen their practices. To avoid further persecution, he issued a message that clergy were not to make any political statements.

When the ungodly Bolshevik regime took control of the country, Church property was confiscated and the Russian Orthodox Church had to endure much repression. St. Tikhon openly condemned the killings of [[Nicholas II of Russia|Czar]]'s family in 1918 and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the [[Church]]. At this time, he called Russian Orthodox Christians to unite and strengthen their practices. To avoid further persecution, he issued a message that clergy were not to make any political statements.

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From 1922 to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in [[Donskoy Monastery]] after he openly opposed the government's decree of being able to confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty in an apparent attempt to relieve the harsh pressures on the Church. Despite his declaration of loyalty, he continued to enjoy the trust of the Orthodox community in Russia.

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From 1922 to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in [[Donskoy Monastery (Moscow)|Donskoy Monastery]] after he openly opposed the government's decree of being able to confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty in an apparent attempt to relieve the harsh pressures on the Church. Despite his declaration of loyalty, he continued to enjoy the trust of the Orthodox community in Russia.

As persecution continued, he began to feel overwhelmed, and his strength and health declined. On Sunday [[April 5]], 1925 he served his last Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O [[Lord]], glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, dying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a [[martyr]] for the faith.

As persecution continued, he began to feel overwhelmed, and his strength and health declined. On Sunday [[April 5]], 1925 he served his last Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O [[Lord]], glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, dying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a [[martyr]] for the faith.

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{{succession|

{{succession|

before=[[Nicholas (Ziorov) of Warsaw|Nicholas (Ziorov)]]|

before=[[Nicholas (Ziorov) of Warsaw|Nicholas (Ziorov)]]|

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title=Bishop of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska|

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title=[[Orthodox_Church_in_America|Bishop of the Aleutian Islands and Alaska]]|

years=1898-1907|

years=1898-1907|

after=[[Platon (Rozhdestvensky) of New York|Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]]}}

after=[[Platon (Rozhdestvensky) of New York|Platon (Rozhdestvensky)]]}}

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title=[[List of primates of Russia|Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia]]|

title=[[List of primates of Russia|Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia]]|

years=1917-1925|

years=1917-1925|

−

after=[[Sergius I (Stragorodsky) of Moscow|Serguis I (Stragorodsky)]]}}

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after=[[Sergius I (Stragorodsky) of Moscow|Sergius I (Stragorodsky)]]}}

{{end box}}

{{end box}}

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[[Category:American Saints]]

[[Category:American Saints]]

[[Category:Bishops]]

[[Category:Bishops]]

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[[Category:Metropolitans of the OCA]]

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[[Category:Bishops of Vilnius]]

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[[Category:Bishops of Moscow]]

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[[Category:Bishops of Lublin]]

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[[Category:Bishops of Aleutian Islands]]

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[[Category:Bishops of Yaroslavl]]

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[[Category:19th-20th-century bishops]]

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[[Category:Lithuanian Saints]]

[[Category:Missionaries]]

[[Category:Missionaries]]

[[Category:Patriarchs of Moscow]]

[[Category:Patriarchs of Moscow]]

[[Category:Russian Saints]]

[[Category:Russian Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

[[Category:Saints]]

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[[Category:Modern Saints]]

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[[Category:Metropolitans of the OCA]]

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[[Category:20th-century saints]]

[[ro:Tihon de Moscova]]

[[ro:Tihon de Moscova]]

Revision as of 12:36, October 23, 2012

Icon of St. Tikhon

Our father among the saintsTikhon of Moscow (Russian: Святитель Тихон, Патриарх Московский и всея Руси) (1865–1925), Enlightener of North America, was Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia (1917–1925).

Contents

Early life

St. Tikhon (né Vasily Ivanovich Belavin; Russian:Василий Иванович Белавин) was born on January 19, 1865. His father was Ioann Belavin, a rural priest of the Toropetz district of the Pskov diocese. "From his early years he displayed a particular religious disposition, love for the Church as well as rare meekness and humility. ... From 1878 to 1883, Vasily studied at the Pskov Theological Seminary. ... His fellow students liked and respected him for his piety, brilliant progress in studies, and constant readiness to help comrades, who often turned to him for explanations of lessons, especially for help in drawing up and correcting numerous compositions. Vasily was called 'bishop' and 'patriarch' by his classmates." [1]

"Following graduation from the Pskov Seminary and St Petersburg Theological Academy, he becomes an instructor first at Pskov Seminary (1888-91), then Kholm Seminary (1891-97), where he quickly became Rector. Just prior to his transfer to Kholm he was tonsured a monk with the name Tikhon and ordained." [2]

Life and work after ordination

One of the first Orthodox bishops to do major work in North America, St. Tikhon went on to establish the "Diocese of the Aleutians and North America" after converting many people on the continent. Deemed an honorary citizen of the United States, he consecrated Orthodox Churches in America during the early 20th Century. The saint was also the primary founder of St. Tikhon's Orthodox Monastery (South Canaan, Pennsylvania), naming it for his heavenly patron, St. Tikhon of Zadonsk.

After returning to Russia in 1907, he continued to win the affection of thousands with his humble piety and loving affection. During World War I, he charitably aided displaced citizens, who flocked to him. He was also honored on November 5, 1917 by being elected Patriarch of the Russian Orthodox Church. St. Tikhon had to overcome much disunity within the Church.

St. Tikhon of Moscow

When the ungodly Bolshevik regime took control of the country, Church property was confiscated and the Russian Orthodox Church had to endure much repression. St. Tikhon openly condemned the killings of Czar's family in 1918 and protested against violent attacks by the Bolsheviks on the Church. At this time, he called Russian Orthodox Christians to unite and strengthen their practices. To avoid further persecution, he issued a message that clergy were not to make any political statements.

From 1922 to 1923, Patriarch Tikhon was imprisoned in Donskoy Monastery after he openly opposed the government's decree of being able to confiscate Church property. Thousands of Russian believers were shot. Upon being released, he assured the regime of his loyalty in an apparent attempt to relieve the harsh pressures on the Church. Despite his declaration of loyalty, he continued to enjoy the trust of the Orthodox community in Russia.

As persecution continued, he began to feel overwhelmed, and his strength and health declined. On Sunday April 5, 1925 he served his last Liturgy. He died giving the Sign of the Cross, saying, "Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee." He only crossed himself two times, dying before he could complete the third. After his death, he was considered a martyr for the faith.

In 1989, Patriarch Tikhon was glorified by the Church of Russia. This process is generally considered an example of the thaw in Church-Soviet relations in the Glasnost era.

Quotes by Saint Tikhon

"Devote all your energy to preaching the word of God and the truth of Christ, especially today, when unbelief and atheism are audaciously attacking the Church of Christ. May the God of peace and love be with all of you!"

"May God teach every one of us to strive for His truth, and for the good of the Holy Church, rather than something for our own sake."

"The spread of Christ's faith ought to be near and precious to the heart of every Orthodox Christian"